Harmony Rules at St. Pat’s Parade

By SEAN EGAN, KAT LLOYD & PRISCILLA PEREZ

The lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender community lent a tint of lavender to the wearing of the green on Thursday as the oldest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in the world stepped off to the blare of bagpipes, following a long history of exclusion of gay marchers from the festivities celebrating Irish heritage.

At least three LGBT groups marched up Fifth Avenue including OUT@NBCUniversal, the first group to march in 2015 because of the NBC Universal sponsorship of the parade, The Lavender and Green Alliance, and Irish Queers.

“This is an iconic year, especially for LGBT, and having the mayor marching in it, I think it’s a wonderful year to be part of it,” said Miss New York 2015, Jamie Lynn Macchia.

LGBT groups wishing to celebrate their sexual identities at the parade were banned until last year when, after many years of protests, the parade committee lifted the ban for one group, opening the door to allowing more groups. This year also marks the first time Mayor de Blasio has marched since becoming mayor as he boycotted the parade over the gay ban.

Thus the 255th St. Patrick’s Day parade, the largest and oldest in the world, ran as smoothly as polished jade. According to the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Inc., an estimated two million spectators lined the streets as the parade traveled from East 44th Street to East 79th Street.

“In the past, gays have protested not being able to participate in this event and they had cans, bottles, rocks thrown at them,” said Steven Menendez, a marcher and LBGT activist. “People were arrested several times for protesting not being able to participate in the march, so it’s a huge breakthrough.”

The celebrations began well before the parade stepped off at 11 a.m. with an 8:30 a.m. mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which the mayor also attended.

“For two decades and more we had a blemish on our city,” Mr. de Blasio said at a breakfast at Gracie Mansion following mass. “People worked together. They overcame it. People will be able to express their pride, their pride as Irish-Americans, their pride as LGBT Americans, their pride as New Yorkers.”

Senator George J. Mitchell was named Grand Marshall of the parade because of his contributions as United States Special Representative for Northern Ireland in helping to broker a peace deal in Northern Ireland, leading to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, when the Irish rebelled against British government rule.

Ireland was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2013 with a 62 percent electoral vote in favor of the referendum.

James and Bridget Cagney have marched with the others from Cork, Ireland since being married 53 years ago. While boasting their excitement for the spring weather and celebration of the Patron Saint of Ireland, they were most excited for the unity of Irish people, regardless of sexual orientation.

“In Ireland its been settled a long time ago,” Bridget Cagney said. “Like I said before, we are all God’s children.”